The mushrooming of private nursing training institutions across Namibia has become one of the most heated debates in the National Assembly.

 Members of Parliament (MPs) accused regulators of failing to protect students and the country’s health system from exploitation.

The debate intensified after Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Winnie Moongo tabled a motion in Parliament, warning about the “unchecked commercialisation of the noble nursing profession”. 

She expressed concern that many private institutions are operating without proper accreditation and are allegedly exploiting vulnerable young people who aspire to become nurses. In addition to the systemic failures already highlighted, Moongo expressed concern regarding the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and its role in accrediting health training institutions. 

She highlighted that some unregistered institutions openly enroll students, claiming to be “in the process of accreditation”, misleading students and parents about the validity of their qualifications.

At the centre of the debate are two key institutions – the NQA, which oversees quality assurance in education, and the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA), which regulates health training programmes.

 Both have been accused of being passive and reactive rather than proactive in enforcing standards. To better understand the Council’s position, New Era journalist Lahja Nashuuta (LN) sat down with Dr Cornelius Weyulu (CW), the registrar and CEO of the HPCNA. 

In this wide-ranging discussion, he explained the Council’s mandate, its role in regulating nursing education and how it is responding to MPs’ concerns.

LN: There is widespread confusion about who oversees nursing schools in Namibia. Can you clarify the HPCNA’s role and how it differs from the NQA and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA)?

CW: It is important to understand that the establishment of nursing schools do not fall under the HPCNA. Most of these institutions are registered as companies or close corporations. That responsibility lies with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA).

Once BIPA registers as an entity, the National Council for Higher Education must approve it as a private higher education institution before it can begin offering courses. Only then does the HPCNA step in, but our role is very specific. We evaluate and approve the nursing curriculum.

This means we do not regulate whether a school can exist in the first place. We regulate whether it can offer nursing programmes that meet professional standards. Only the authority empowered to establish a school can shut it down. What we can do is withdraw our approval of a curriculum if it does not comply with requirements, or if training is provided in ways that contravene set standards.

We actually raised concerns about the mushrooming of nursing schools as early as 2023 and informed the relevant authorities. In response, the HPCNA has since introduced new mechanisms, including a pre-registration evaluation of nursing graduates, as well as the new Health Professions Act No. 16 of 2024, which strengthens our oversight powers.

LN: MPs claim that private nursing schools are exploiting students and not meeting accreditation standards. How do you respond to these claims?

CW: The reality is more complex than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The claim that all private schools exploit students is not entirely accurate. There are private nursing institutions that have undergone the required processes, met the standards and are delivering quality training to their students.

However, we cannot ignore that some institutions are attempting to operate without full approval. Others may have approved curricula but struggle to implement them properly due to limited resources or poor management. Those are the cases that worry us and attract the attention of both the HPCNA and the public.

LN: One of the main concerns raised in Parliament is that hospitals are overcrowded with student nurses. What is the HPCNA doing to address this?

CW: Clinical training is a very important part of nursing education, so this is an issue we take seriously. The HPCNA inspects every training hospital and determines how many students it can realistically accommodate.

We also inspect nursing schools to assess their training capacities. Based on those inspections, we set a maximum number of students each school can enroll in. This is done to match educational capacity with available clinical platforms.

Additionally, schools must sign formal training agreements with hospitals, specifying the exact number of students who will be placed there. Overcrowding typically occurs when hospitals accept more patients than they are equipped to handle. Where leadership is strong, these problems are avoided.

LN: The Nursing Council has established rules regarding student intake, campus expansion and annual admissions. Are private institutions following them?

CW: Before the new Health Professions Act was promulgated in December 2024, the HPCNA had limited legal powers in this area. We could not stop a school from expanding or taking in large numbers of students, although we could recommend limits after inspections revealed capacity challenges.

With the new law, the Minister of Health and Social Services will soon issue regulations that give the HPCNA clearer authority to set strict limits on student intake, campus expansion and admissions.

For now, most institutions are complying with the intake limits we impose. Those who have failed to comply have faced consequences. Once the regulations are Gazetted, our authority will be even stronger.

LN: How many nursing institutions are currently recognised, and how many are under investigation?

CW: Currently, 19 institutions offer approved nursing programmes. Two institutions have been reported to the police for offering courses without the HPCNA’s approval. Four institutions had their curricula rejected outright because they did not meet prescribed standards.

Additionally, 12 institutions with approved curricula are currently under investigation by the HPCNA for failing to comply with requirements.

LN: Some critics say the HPCNA only responds after issues are revealed, rather than preventing them beforehand. What is your response to that?

CW: I understand where those concerns come from, but I think they overlook the limits of our mandate. As I explained earlier, the HPCNA does not license schools – that is BIPA and the higher education authorities. Our job is to ensure that the training they provide meets the standards of the health profession.

When we find non-compliance, we act by withdrawing curriculum approval, rejecting new submissions or referring cases to law enforcement. That is why you have seen institutions being investigated and reported to the police.

We are also proactive. Our warnings in 2023 about the rapid growth of schools and our push for legislative changes show that we are not simply waiting for scandals to emerge. The pre-registration evaluation of graduates is another example of how we are tightening controls before problems reach the health system.

LN: What message would you like to send to students and parents considering enrolment in private nursing schools?

CW: I would urge them to be very cautious and do their research thoroughly before enrolling. They should confirm with the HPCNA whether a school’s curriculum has been approved and whether the institution is in good standing.

Students should also remember that nursing is a highly regulated profession. If they train at an unapproved school, they risk wasting their time and money because their qualification may not be recognised.

My message is simple: do not rush into the first school that offers you a place. Take the time to check its credentials with the relevant authorities. –lnashuuta@nepc.com.na